A Plan for Progress: The SAE Strategic Plan and Strategic Planning Process

While long-range planning is important to any organization, because of the constant turnover of volunteer leaders, a long-range strategic plan is crucial for maintaining continuity in a non-profit organization. SAE's strategic planning process resulted in a plan, evaluated and revised annually, which outlines the purpose, missions, and goals of the Society and describes action plans and steps necessary to achieve those goals. SAE's exceptional growth in all areas during the last ten years-for example, membership has grown from 37,000 in 1980 to 58,000 today-is evidence of the success of the process and the plan.